Gatti's Pizza to open 22 units in Southeast U.S.

AUSTIN, Texas — Mr. Gatti's LP announced a multi-area development agreement with Pizza Southeast LLC, a Knoxville, Tenn.-based retail franchise group.

 

According to a news release, Pizza Southeast will open two GattiTown units and 20 Gatti's Pizza units in Knoxville, Nashville and throughout Tennessee over the next seven years. The agreement marks the largest development commitment in Mr. Gatti's history.

 

"With over 30 years of commercial real estate knowledge and 28 years of restaurant operations experience, Pizza Southeast brings the expertise, passion and desire to successfully develop our brand in neighborhoods throughout the state of Tennessee," said Mark Levis, director of franchise sales and development for Mr. Gatti's.

 

Pizza Southeast also purchased Mr. Gatti's LP's three existing corporate units in the Knoxville market and will remodel each to reflect the Gatti's Pizza brand refresh.

 

"The fact that the Gatti's concept works well with our types of developments only further fueled our desire to help grow the brand," said Tom Shaffler Jr., principal partner of Pizza Southeast. "With the company's top-notch executive team infusing fresh flavor to reinvigorate the brand, we foresee an outstanding future for Gatti's Pizza — a future we are thrilled to be a part of."